Cameras to roll on Cloudstreet in 2010

Cloudstreet will begin filming in Western Australia in 2010.

The 6 hour miniseries will be adapted by its writer Tim Winton (pictured) and writer Ellen Fontana, produced by Screentime for the Showcase channel.

Considered a modern classic, Cloudstreet tells the lives of two working class Australian families who come to live together at One Cloud Street, over a period of twenty years in Perth, 1943.

Pre-production will commence in November 2009 with a view to principal photography starting in the first half of 2010. Producers are said to be actively consulting with directors.

Commissioned and majority funded by Showtime Australia, the news follows earlier reports that Screen Australia was said to be concerned at the low level of licence fees the pay channel was expected to pay.

CEO of Showtime Australia, Peter Rose said: “We are honoured to be bringing the screen realisation of this iconic literary work to Foxtel and Austar subscribers. Showtime Australia is delighted to have been able to manage our production slate to enable us to continue on schedule with Cloudstreet.”

Western Australian Culture and the Arts Minister, John Day said “Through ScreenWest, we are proud to help bring Cloudstreet from the pages of this award winning book into people’s homes. We are thrilled that Tim Winton is adapting the book for the screen, along with Ellen Fontana.”